John 1:43-51
43 The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow Me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.” 50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And He said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Message: Jesus Reveals Himself to Nathanael
Time: John is not recorded as the author, but unanimous testimony of early Christians, like Iraneus in the 2nd century declare him the author. Plus, the eyewitness account give rise that he was one of the close knit disciples and Peter already penned through Mark (the Gospel of Mark), and James died soon after the resurrection, which leaves John. It is thought this book was written between 85 and 95 AD. The Deity of Christ is a striking quality of John's gospel.
What the Lord is Saying:
Yesterday (Friday) I watched the video of the service my close friend and his wife had for their son who died unexpectedly from a drug overdose last Saturday. I hurt for my friends and since hearing of it from him on Sunday, my mind has been rushing back to them repeatedly, thinking about them and this loss. They spent the service talking of the problem we have in life with addictions. The addiction cost this young man's life. Beyond the addiction was mention of his laughter and friendship and listening ear and yet the young man found that life still needed coping. He had grown in his faith, yet the pull remained to get the high and in buying the stuff he got something from a dealer that he used and then died. It was unintentional, accidental, and yet a decision. One decision as my friends said in the service and in the service it was their petition to everyone to STOP with your addictions. And then they offered the substitute - Christ - our creator, who erased our sin and grants us life - eternal life. He is the only peace in the midst of the storms of life.
Now, as I read this passage I read of Jesus on a mission. He goes into Galilee, finds Philip and says to him, Follow Me. Philip was one of the first Jesus called. The apostles have intrigued me always. Not much is written of them and yet Jesus called them to be with Him. He chose them. And John then mentions that Philip then went to his friend Nathaniel to say, "We have found him." We have found him, as if they had been searching, waiting, for Jesus. Nathanael was at first skeptical for Jesus had come out of Nazareth and wondered, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?, but still Philip said to him, Come and See. Come and take a look yourself.
Nathaniel was then shaken because Jesus had already seen him even before Philip had reached out to him. What an interesting sequence. Jesus calls Nathanael and yet uses Philip in alerting Nathanael. Nathanael does not end up being one of the 12 apostles that Jesus calls. And yet this calling of this man is here. It is here to show us that Jesus is the answer for everyone - for those he calls to follow Him and for those he simply calls. Nathanael and Philip had a different mission or job to do and yet both were called by Him. Chosen.
The tragedy that my friend has experienced and the life now gone of his son, from this earth, reminds me that God calls us all, not to simply sample Him but that our lives would be forever changed. In all of us is a need to be chosen. In Jesus we have been called. O God, may you show us all that all that we need is you.
Promise: There is no other way to God than through Jesus. And with Jesus is the only peace.
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for calling me and for the life that you have given me. But, even like my friend's son Kyle, sometimes I am like wheat, going back and forth in the wind. Thank you for their example for they truly love you and help the Kyle's of this world to free themselves from the hook of a feeling that is always only temporary and never completely satisfying. Free my son Derek from this hold, whatever the cost. Help us as parents to do the right thing and help our children as we can, but ultimately God you are in charge - you do the calling and choosing, we are simply the conduits you ask to be involved. Thank you for that, but to you be the glory. To you God.
Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of May is about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April was about salvation by grace alone; March about the sovereign providence of God; February was about the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January was about the doctrine of God.
- Attributes of Jesus - The Divine Nature of Christ meaning Jesus is God, the God-Man, God became man, The Human Nature of Christ Jesus has the qualities of man (hunger, needing rest, not knowing future events, being tempted), Jesus the Last Adam as Adam was our federal head in ushering all sin to man, Jesus makes all alive for those in Christ, Jesus the True Israel as Israel was called by God to be His true messenger, but Jesus is the one that truly fulfilled this call, Jesus the Messiah is the One that rescues and delivers His people
- The Word of Jesus - Obedience in Childhood reminds us that each day Jesus grew in obedience and favor with God, Obedience in Baptism showed Jesus fulfilled all righteousness, as John had been baptizing all new believers, Obedience in Temptation - like men called by God before, Jesus is tempted, but he resists and defends Himself with scripture, showing perfect obedience, Obedience under the Law as Christ was born under the Law, and kept the Law perfectly to redeem man, Obedience in Suffering as even in suffering Jesus learned obedience, a sinless man suffering for sinners,
- His Titles - Christ Our Prophet, speaking for God, with divine inspiration, His words absolutely trustworthy and never fail to accomplish His purposes, Christ the Priest, clearing the way for human beings to approach the Father in heaven through prayer, Christ Our King is King of Kings, the last and final monarch of our lives for He did it all,
- His Atonement - In Penal Substitution the penalty is paid by a substitute and Jesus paid the penalty of sin, once for all, and with Particular Atonement is the reminder that Jesus had me in my mind when He went to the cross, not everyone, but only those who will hear His voice. Christ Resurrected reminds me that only through the resurrection am I truly saved and sealed for eternity with Him by faith and now Christ Ascension whereby our King ascends to heaven to rule at the right hand of God and sends the Holy Spirit so that Christ can continue to be present with His people on earth.
- His Encounters - Jesus called Philip and then he told Nathanael to come and see so he could see that Jesus reveals himself to Nathanael.
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